To Our Venerable Brother,

Mario Joseph Conti,

Archbishop of Glasgow

We, who, by the will of God, fulfil the office of St Peter’s successor, enjoy the unique spiritual support of Bishops worldwide who proclaim the truths of salvation in their different areas. 

Among them you, Venerable Brother, have, over an extended period now, led the faithful entrusted to your charge along the ways of the Gospel, administered the Sacraments with due care, and expounded correctly and diligently, in the light of the Church’s teaching, the issues of our time.

Given that very soon there will be completed, under God, the fiftieth anniversary of your becoming a priest and beginning an outstanding period of apostolate on behalf of your people, we are happy to send you this Letter of Ours to uphold your own joy and that of your flock.

Two ecclesial communities in Scotland have known especially your pastoral concern and competence. As a young priest in the diocese of Aberdeen, having earlier completed your studies in philosophy and theology with excellence, you carried out your ministry in various parishes with conspicuous commitment. 

Consecrated Bishop on 3rd May 1977, you wisely ruled the same community of the people of God for 25 years, setting up a number of structures of great practicality for the day-to-day running of affairs.

From the year 2002 you have assumed the duties of Archbishop of Glasgow and Metropolitan, showing zeal in many aspects of pastoral work. You have given of yourself generously in your ministry among all the faithful of your flock, markedly the poor, the sick, and the outcasts of society, offering them a diversified programme of assistance.

It is pleasant to put on record your personal gifts, the profound holiness in your life, and your remarkable charity towards clergy and laity alike in times of difficulty.

Venerable Brother, we are aware of the outstanding part you have taken both in the Episcopal Conference of Scotland, where you have painstakingly overseen the Commissions on Christian Doctrine and Ecumenical concerns, as well as in the Pontifical Commission for the Promotion of Christian Unity.

Accordingly we pray for God’s comfort and strength for you, which indeed you will recognise from a realisation of your past fervour, and likewise hereafter in a most bountiful reward for your good works.

Moreover, may Our Apostolic Blessing, which we affectionately bestow upon you, along with this message set down with sincere intent, redound to your benefit. 

Gladly we shall be thinking of you on that happy day of yours on which, along with the faithful committed to your care, you will recall the earliest days of your priesthood.